Non-Smokers Get Six Extra Days Off at Japanese Firm: Can’t Happen Here?

A Japanese company is granting its employees who don't smoke six extra paid days off work a year to compensate for fellow employees' smoke breaks.

The company, located on the 29th floor in a Tokyo high rise, calculated each smoke break was an average of 15 minutes, as smokers had to migrate to the building's basement to pollute their lungs. The approximation was necessary after complaints from non-smokers were put in the company's suggestion box claiming problems were rising as they, the non-smokers, were working more than staff who cut out for a cigarette.

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The perk was introduced in September at the marketing firm, and it's been heavily taken advantage of already. Four employees have reportedly kicked the habit for good because of the opportunity for more time off.

The company's CEO says he hopes to encourage employees to quit smoking through incentives rather than, "penalties or coercion."

The World Health Organization says 21.7 percent of Japanese adults smoke, although the figure is higher among males and older generations.